Through Wednesday, McGrady was averaging 25.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists. Only Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers currently joins McGrady as members of the 25-5-5 club.

And now McGrady's complete game applies to the two schools of thought about choosing the NBA's Most Valuable Player.

If the MVP is the man who has meant the most to his team, the 22-year-old McGrady might walk away with the award. But if voters believe the MVP should be the best player in the league, McGrady can make a case for that.

When asked about his chances of winning the award, McGrady at first shies away from self-promotion. However, McGrady eventually begins explaining why nobody in the league means more to their team -- his definition of an MVP.

"The guys seem to play well when I'm out on the court," McGrady said. "All their numbers are up because that's what I do -- I make them better. And they make me better, as well."

McGrady's teammates are thankful for how he's helping their game and appreciate him for the talent he is.

"I look at that guy and it's not even humbling, because I know I can't do what he does," Magic forward Monty Williams said.

However, added McGrady, the bottom line is winning.

He's covered there, too. Orlando struggled early, after forward Grant Hill went down with a bad ankle. But since Dec. 28, the Magic have a record of 27-16 -- best in the Eastern Conference.

To Rivers, Orlando's recent victory over the New York Knicks was a perfect example of how McGrady creates wins with his all-around game.

For three quarters, the Knicks decided that letting McGrady do his damage was preferable to having his teammates let loose with a barrage of 3-pointers. But New York's plan backfired, as McGrady had 29 points and eight rebounds entering the final period with the Magic leading by three.

So, New York went to trapping and double-teaming McGrady. That didn't work, either.

McGrady scored only two points in the quarter, but dished out three of his seven assists. Mike Miller and Darrell Armstrong, taking advantage of the spread-out floor, each hit 3-pointers in the closing minutes and the Magic won going away.

Said Knicks guard Latrell Sprewell: "T-Mac kind of took over, and they ran their offense through him late."

"He beat them both ways, which I think hurts more," Rivers said. "I'd rather get scored on for 40 than get scored on for 35 and eight assists, because now you're giving up both -- and that would be extremely frustrating."

What sets McGrady apart from most of the other MVP candidates is that he's performing at an elite level without much help from his teammates.

Bryant has Shaquille O'Neal in Los Angeles -- and vice versa.

In New Jersey, Jason Kidd has a solid supporting cast in Kerry Kittles, Keith Van Horn and Kenyon Martin. Only San Antonio's Tim Duncan can join McGrady in honestly claiming they're carrying their teams.

"If Shaq went out for 10 games, the Lakers might win six," Rivers said. "If Tracy went out for 10 games ..."

He paused, pondering, before being told that McGrady has missed five games this season -- and the Magic have lost four.

A discussion of that matter prompted Rivers to come up with another comparison to McGrady -- Portland's Scottie Pippen. But Rivers quickly noted that Pippen only excelled when paired with Michael Jordan in Chicago.